On the first day back at the Academy, I was actually excited. Not because I was some bookworm or because I particularly liked school, but rather because of the free food and the occasional "borrowed items" I could discreetly take from the cafeteria. My budget had been stretched extremely thin during the vacation, so now I planned to offload my biggest expense, food, onto Konoha. Thank you, Konoha, for your generous social safety net.
After ensuring I ate a hearty breakfast, I performed my morning meditation, leaving my mind exceptionally clear and my pockets slightly filled with a few extra ryo. I took advantage of my heightened focus, forming hand signs and initiating my full lightning chakra circulation, this time carefully using only a minuscule amount of chakra.
I didn't feel as incredible as I had in my Stormdrive state, but it did feel like I'd downed about three cups of coffee at once. My movements were slightly sharper, my body buzzed with subtle energy, and I noticed a faint twitchiness. Clearly, it still needed refining, but it wasn't terrible enough to abandon, so I let it be.
I returned home, took a quick shower, and began changing into fresh clothes when Shizuru's annoyingly persistent knocking echoed at my door. She shouted impatiently, "Why do you always aim to arrive at the last possible moment? Arriving early gives a better impression!"
I chuckled, responding dryly, "Alright, calm down. I'm putting on my clothes." After slipping into my default orphan uniform number two, I opened the door to an overly excited Shizuru practically bouncing on her heels.
"We're going to learn ninjutsu!" she nearly shouted in barely contained excitement.
"I already know how to use ninjutsu," I reminded her casually.
Ignoring my smugness, she continued eagerly, "This year we're officially learning the basic jutsus! We'll study the Clone Jutsu, Substitution Jutsu, and Transformation Jutsu." Her eyes glazed over in amazement as she gazed upward dramatically. "We'll finally become true ninja."
I followed her gaze upwards, trying to see whatever mysterious thing had captured her attention. Shizuru noticed me looking and promptly punched me in the chest, her fist immediately turning red. She jumped around, shaking her hand in pain.
"What was that? Why does my hand hurt so much? It feels like I punched a wall!" she whined.
My eyes widened slightly in realization. I'd known my body had grown tougher, but apparently, a previously unnoticed side effect of my lightning chakra circulation was that it enhanced physical toughness even more effectively than regular chakra circulation.
I shrugged lightly, closing the door behind me. "Come on, let's move or we'll actually be late."
Shizuru quickly forgot her pain and walked beside me toward the Academy. Our usual route was pleasant, bathed in warm sunlight and filled with friendly faces. It was annoyingly nice.
Upon arriving at the Academy, we encountered the usual cheerful chaos, smiling parents, enthusiastic children, and excited chatter filling the air. Everyone seemed genuinely happy about starting a new school year. Before I could ask Shizuru about her parents, however, I felt something slip quietly in right beside me, just subtle enough to make my skin crawl. Expecting nothing but air, I turned and nearly jumped out of my skin.
Sena stood right beside me, eyeing me the same way I eyed discounted food at the market. Her sudden appearance and eerie expression startled me so badly that I screamed, inadvertently drawing the attention of nearby parents and children. Looking at her face, I suddenly understood why most food merchants in the market try to avoid me.
I coughed awkwardly, quickly regaining my composure. Internally, I panicked. Where the hell did she come from? I had a small chakra sensing field activated around me. Did Sena already know how to mask her chakra? Was that how she managed to scar… I mean, surprise me?
Sena, clearly noticing my panic, seized my arm in an overly friendly manner, like a best friend might, and spoke cheerfully, "Come on, Noa, stop messing around, or we'll be late!" She started pulling me toward the classroom, causing Shizuru's eyes to widen in alarm.
"I'm Noa's best friend! What is she doing?" Shizuru muttered, immediately hurrying after us.
I caught the curious glances from clan parents around us, observing Sena's friendly act and Shizuru's obvious irritation. I sighed internally, muttering quietly, "Kids. One is too smart for her own good, and the other lets her emotions override her usually powerful mind." Denying Sena's public attention was pointless anyway. It might actually help deter another Root social wellness check.
As we approached the classroom, Sena continued to hold my arm with an award-winning smile on her face, clearly pleased with herself, while Shizuru visibly sulked beside us, relying on her natural defense by puffing out her cheeks in annoyance.
I slid the classroom door, and I nearly died on the spot.
Daiken stood directly in the doorway. Not near it. Not slightly inside it. Directly in it.
No warning. No sound. Just over six feet of postwar intimidation, standing there like a horror movie villain who moonlighted as a PE teacher.
I screamed. Loudly. Like a civilian in a horror play.
He didn't even flinch. Daiken just stared down at me with the same flat expression people usually reserved for unpaid parking tickets or vegetarians.
I cursed internally. Relying too much on chakra sensing was backfiring when it came to people who could actually mask themselves. They genuinely triggered panic. It's like expecting empty air and suddenly getting a full-sized person to the face. Jarring doesn't even begin to cover it. Still, I was glad it happened here, inside the village. Better to scream like an idiot in front of my classmates than freeze up during a mission. Guess this was a good way to build some panic resistance. One terrifying surprise at a time, all while trying to improve my chakra sensing.
I managed to say in a polite tone, "Daiken-sensei, it's very pleasant to see you again after such a long time."
He remained unmoving, though I noticed his eyes widen very slightly in surprise. He probably detected my miniature chakra sensing field or perhaps even my subtle lightning chakra circulation. Considering his extensive war scars and experienced demeanor, he probably sensed something, but wasn't entirely certain. Reading his emotions was like trying to decipher the feelings of an ancient stone statue built solely for murder.
As the other clan kids began piling up behind me, I tried to distract him. "Sensei, are you alright?"
Daiken finally shifted his focus and silently stepped aside from the massive doorway, clearing the way he'd previously blocked with sheer intimidation alone. Together, we entered the classroom for our first lesson of the second year.